ISLAMABAD: The possibility of Qatar aligning with an emerging defenceframework involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and potentially Egypthas gained renewed attention following a high-profile call from a prominentQatari figure. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former primeminister of Qatar, has publicly advocated for a strategic defence alliancecomprising these nations, describing it as an urgent necessity in responseto evolving regional and global dynamics. His statement, shared on the Xplatform, highlights the recent Saudi-Pakistani defence pact as afoundational step and urges Gulf states to participate swiftly to bolstercollective security.
The Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) between Saudi Arabia andPakistan, signed on September 17, 2025, in Riyadh, marks a significantmilestone in bilateral ties that date back decades. The pact stipulatesthat any aggression against one nation shall be considered an attack onboth, echoing collective defence principles while focusing on jointdeterrence, military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and capacitybuilding. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed binSalman formalised the accord during a state visit, amid heightened regionaltensions including incidents that underscored uncertainties in traditionalWestern security commitments.
Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim emphasized that the Saudi-Pakistani agreement,which Turkey is reportedly poised to join according to recent reports fromJanuary 2026, represents an important stride toward preserving regionalstability encompassing Arab and Muslim elements. He described the proposedSaudi-Pakistani-Turkish-Egyptian bloc as a long-standing and continuingurgent requirement to protect shared interests and amplify collectivestrength against rapid policy shifts in Western alliances, particularlythose involving the United States. This vision builds on the existingmomentum created by the SMDA.
Analysts note that the call comes against a backdrop of shiftinggeopolitical realities in the Middle East, where Gulf states increasinglyseek diversified security arrangements. The September 2025 pact betweenRiyadh and Islamabad, which has been interpreted as formalisinglongstanding cooperation including training of thousands of Saudi personnelby Pakistan over the years, provides a model for broader collaboration.Reports indicate advanced discussions for Turkey’s inclusion, potentiallycreating a trilateral framework that could extend to other partners.
Sheikh Hamad specifically highlighted the vulnerability of smaller Gulfstates, arguing that their size necessitates robust collective securitymechanisms without delay. He proposed that the alliance adopt acomprehensive scope, integrating military, economic, and politicaldimensions, guided by clear strategic objectives for sustainedeffectiveness. This approach, he suggested, would serve member states notonly in crises but as a permanent credible regional entity, drawing onbalanced considerations.
Importantly, the former Qatari leader clarified that the envisionedalliance should not be perceived as antagonistic toward Iran, which hedescribed as a major Muslim country. Instead, he advocated for a frameworkrooted in balanced regional dynamics, avoiding escalatory postures. Thisnuance underscores efforts to position the potential bloc as a stabilisingrather than confrontational force in an already volatile area.
He further cautioned against repeating historical missteps, referencing the1990 Damascus Declaration issued hastily after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait,which ultimately proved short-lived due to inadequate foundations. SheikhHamad stressed the need for the alliance to be built on sound principlesand solid groundwork to ensure longevity and operational success, offeringa pragmatic perspective on the challenges of multilateral defencearrangements.
The proposal has sparked discussions on whether Qatar itself could becomethe next participant, given Sheikh Hamad’s influential voice in Qatariaffairs despite his former status. While no official moves from Doha havebeen confirmed, the statement aligns with broader trends of Muslim-majoritynations exploring enhanced cooperation amid perceived unreliability inexternal guarantees. Turkey’s potential accession, described as very likelyin credible reports, could accelerate momentum toward a wider grouping.
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Regional observers point out that such developments reflect a hedgingstrategy by key players, complementing rather than replacing existingalliances like those with the United States. The SMDA has already led tofollow-up initiatives, including talks on converting Saudi loans intodefence equipment deals and enhanced military exchanges. If expanded, thebloc could significantly alter power balances, fostering greater autonomyin defence matters for participating states.
As deliberations continue, the call from Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim injectsfresh impetus into the discourse on Middle Eastern and South Asian securityarchitecture. Whether Qatar or others join remains speculative, yet theemphasis on urgency and comprehensiveness signals a potential paradigmshift toward self-reliant regional frameworks in an era of strategicuncertainty.
Source:https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260113-qatari-ex-pm-urges-creation-of-four-nation-strategic-defence-bloc
Tags: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim
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